O's game blog: Kevin Gausman pitches series opener

TORONTO - The Orioles have had just one winning record in the last 11 season series in Toronto and they might have a chance to do that this year. In 2015, they went 3-6 at Toronto, and last year they went 4-6. The Orioles posted a winning season series mark at Rogers Centre in 2014, going 5-4.

Tonight they play their second of three series here this year. They went 3-1 in April at Rogers Centre and have won all three series against Toronto this season, going 7-2 in nine games.

The Orioles (37-38) won two of three at Tampa Bay for their first road series win since April 18-20 at Cincinnati. They have posted two straight road wins for the first time since April 30 and May 1.

The Orioles scored 21 runs on 32 hits in the Tampa Bay series. They scored 16 runs, hitting six homers, over the last two games. The Orioles are tied for third in the American League and tied for fifth in the majors in the month of June with 40 home runs. Last season, the Orioles set the major league record for most home runs in June with 56.

Toronto (36-39) lost the first two games of this season in Baltimore, started 2-11 and has not reached the .500 mark this season, even though they have been within a win of that several times. They are 0-9 in games they could have won to reach the .500 mark.

The Blue Jays beat Kansas City on Sunday to snap a three-game losing streak. Toronto has lost four of its past six games and is 0-2-2 in its last four series. The Blue Jays are 19-17 at home and 12-19 versus the AL East while the Orioles are 23-17 in division games.

Toronto recently moved José Bautista to the leadoff spot and he is 8-for-21 since moving up. Justin Smoak is batting .351 during a 10-game hitting streak. His career best is 11 games in 2011.

O's right-hander Kevin Gausman (3-7, 6.47 ERA) appeared to make some progress in his most recent start, where he allowed six hits and three runs Wednesday versus Cleveland. He missed his fifth quality start by an out. He has had just four in 16 outings this year after recording 18 quality starts in 30 games last year.

In three starts this year versus the Blue Jays, Gausman is 1-0 with a 2.60 ERA. In 15 career games (10 starts) against Toronto, he is 3-3 with a 3.90 ERA and 1.460 WHIP.

Gausman is 1-4 with an ERA of 9.00 in seven road starts. His road ERA is third-highest in the majors and is the highest in the AL among pitchers with at least seven road starts. Opponents are hitting .357 with seven home runs on the road against him

Right-hander Joe Biagini (2-6, 4.45 ERA) will make his 24th appearance and 10th start for Toronto. He moved into the rotation on May 7. In his nine starts, he is 2-5 with a 4.91 ERA. In his past two starts, he has given up 11 runs (10 earned) over 6 2/3 innings. He has pitched against the Orioles four times this season, all in relief, with 4 2/3 scoreless innings.